“Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today”~Malcolm X

Can you teach an old dog new tricks? Is there such a thing as too much knowledge? Does learning ever really stop?

No matter how much you might get set in your ways, it seems like there’s always room to learn something new or gain a new perspective. You may have a degree or expertise in a certain topic or chosen field, and yet the beauty of these fantastic minds we have is that we can always dive deeper into something we know or start fresh on a new topic altogether.

There’s a wealth of research on brain health and neuro-plasticity that points to the idea that continuing to learn is good for our mental and physical fitness. Free-form dance and improvisation is a huge contributing factor as well.

And it’s more than just a sharper brain or healthier body, our overall happiness and well-being are enhanced when we keep our learning muscles engaged. Some people say that the number one element in a happy life is the feeling that you are making progress. It’s one of those things you might take for granted, especially if that’s your usual mode of operation.

But if you’ve ever felt stuck, like you’re spinning your wheels, you know how awful it feels to be going around in circles. Getting back in gear is always a relief!

Our relationship with learning changes as we go through the ages and stages of life. As kids, engaging with the school system is a given. At a certain point, we have enough autonomy to decide if we want to go any further or drop out entirely.

Then comes careers, internships, and adult education. Jobs require training, some fields are best learned with the guidance of a mentor, and life changes often come with the need to grasp a new field of study.

Of course some people choose the path of least resistance, simply settling into a safe slot in the workforce and following orders. For them, spare time is to be filled with entertainment and distractions with the future arriving by default.

Then there’s the restless types who choose self-employment, a path that requires constant innovation and improvement in order to succeed. As someone who has marched to the tune of my own drummer for many years, this is the most familiar to me.

Fine artists, craftspeople, and artisans have a similar imperative, beyond the mythical 10,000 hours it takes to attain mastery there’s an infinitely receding horizon of continual improvement and refinement to pursue.

It’s interesting to think of learning like a chain or relay race. One of the things I’ve noticed over the years is how the last and most important step in learning something is when you start to teach it to someone else. For those of you who are conscious dance teachers or somatic movement facilitators, you probably know exactly what I mean.

It puts you in a heightened state of awareness when you shift your perspective from the one who is learning to the one who is teaching. Suddenly you are outside of the previous student teacher relationship, explaining or demonstrating your knowledge or skills to someone else.

This is the method by which movements are born. Think about any of the major movement modalities you’re familiar with, such as5Rhythms, Soul Motion , or the Tamalpa Life/Art Process. First there was a pioneer, who started noticing and developing a practice individually, combining threads of knowledge with personal inspiration to forge a new and novel approach.

Then, that pioneer started sharing that unique method with others, maybe only one two at a time. But soon, more and more people wanted to learn, and that pioneer began to be respected as a teacher. Inevitably, the most ardent students begged to become teachers, and the original pioneer found their role shifting from teacher to trainer.

The last stage in the process happens when the pioneer is able to create a organizational structure based around training more trainers. A movement is fully in motion when the pioneer is no longer the only one who has the expertise required to train the trainers who in turn pass the knowledge and techniques down to the teachers. When a vision is clear enough to be embodied by a community, all levels of a movement can thrive.

Education is top of mind for me today because it’s the first day of school! My daughter and Teresa’s son are entering 5th and 7th grade respectively, both at new schools. Not to be outdone, Teresa is back to college for another degree, and I’m taking an online course in self-publishing. So our entire clan is embarking on new learning endeavors, with plenty of first day jitters in the air.

The important thing I’ve been encouraging everyone to keep in mind is to enjoy the process and don’t get hung up on the details. Minor struggles and temporary setbacks are all part of the game, it’s progress towards the big picture that’s key. It’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon, and taking care and being kind to ourselves and each other eases the way.

You may have kids back in school too, or you might be thinking about learning something new yourself. In the words of a certain shoe company, “Just Do It!” You’ve got nothing to lose by trying, and if you find yourself down the wrong path, at least you’ve taken one more option off your list by the process of elimination.

May your mind be open and your opportunities be many! Much love till next week!

M+

Mark Metz
Director of the Dance First Association
Publisher of Conscious Dancer Magazine

Dance First Member Spotlight – Wren LaFeet and Cocréa!

This week’s Dance First member spotlight shines on Wren LaFeet , the founder and driving force behind Cocréa. Making waves far and wide with his mindful-partner-dance modality, he’s rapidly becoming a talked-about thought leader on the somatic circuit.

Take a few minutes to watch his TEDx talk and get a feel for his work and approach, and see why Cocréa is catching on. His writing is featured in a comprehensive volume of collected works entitled “ReInhabiting the Village” that outlines best practices for building regenerative community.

Wren is a long-time fan and associate of Conscious Dancer, who has been honing his work and refining his modality for years. With an improvisational approach and a background in innovative forms of partner dancing such as blues and fusion, he brings a heightened sense of presence and mindfulness to the art of connection on the dance floor.

Referring to himself as a “somatic permissionary” his facilitation “aims to aid others to “create themselves as safer spaces.” Well-known at festivals and retreats both on the West Coast and internationally, he’s an “ardent proponent of pioneering a new renaissance through co-created movement, authentic connection and consensual touch.”

Plan ahead now to shift your paradigm and ‘Dance Your Medicine” at the Cocréa Global Retreat with Wren LaFeet, Usha Rose, Joe Gray, Chrissy Mehnert and a vibrant community of movers this coming March 6th through 10th in Costa Rica at the Danyasa Eco Retreat in Playa Dominical.

Thank you so much for your great work and innovation Wren! We’re glad to have movers and shakers like you carrying the Conscious Dance banner as members of Dance First!

Dance Your Medicine :: Cocréa Global Retreat 
March 6-10, Danyasa, Costa Rica